Police: 10-foot pet python found in North Codorus Township

Police and Lancaster Animal Rescue officials identified the snake as a Reticulated Python, one of the longest species of snake in the world.

By VANESSA PELLECHIO

The Evening Sun

Posted:
09/17/2013 03:57:20 PM EDT

An 10-foot python was found in a log in North Codorus Township on Tuesday, Southwestern Regional Police said. (THE EVENING SUN -- VANESSA PELLECHIO )

A 10-foot python was found in North Codorus Township. (COURTESY OF JESSE ROTHACKER)

Update

The 10-foot python found in a log in North Codorus Township on Tuesday morning is thought to be an abandoned pet, Southwestern Regional Police said.

The Reticulated Python is not native to Pennsylvania; it's indigenous of South East Asia. In fact, it wouldn't have survived this past winter in the wild because it thrives in warmer weather, Chief Gregory Bean said.

Crews from PennDot were working in the area and spotted the python in a hollow tree log on at 11 a.m., Bean said of the nonvenomous constrictor.

"This is the first time we have seen a snake of that magnitude," said Bean, who has been with Southwestern Regional Police for 11 years.

It wasn't the first time police received reports about the snake, however. Police were called two weeks ago about a snake of the same size that was found in the middle of the street, but the snake disappeared by the time they arrived at the scene.

Officer Dennis Brillhart, who used to catch snakes as a kid, slid the snake right out of the log into a trashcan, he said.

"The snake was cold, so she didn't put up a fight," Brillhart said.

Even though Brillhart has had his fair share of animal related calls with garden snakes, he said "this was the biggest snake I've ever messed with."

The Reticulated Python, which can grow to be 22 feet long, is the longest species of snake in the world, said the president of Forgotten Friend Inc., the organization contacted by police after the snake was found.

Forgotten Friend Inc., a nonprofit Lancaster County reptile rescue organization, came to retrieve the snake at Tuesday afternoon. The organization was recommended by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission because a lot of groups can't take care of a snake of this size, Bean said.

"She actually has good muscle tone, but her tail has some issues," President Jesse Rothacker said of the healthy 2-year-old female snake.

Rothacker said he believes the pet was abandoned because it stayed in the same area for about two weeks. He hopes to connect the snake with a loving and experienced home, or reunite with the family that may have lost their pet.

Even though the police officers didn't have any issues moving the snake, Rothacker hopes that if people ever come across a snake in the future to remember these three words: "Step back, Jack!"

Anyone with information regarding the Reticulated Python found in North Codorus Township should contact Forgotten Friend, Inc. by email at info@forgottenfriend.org or visit www.forgottenfriend.org.

Earlier

An 10-foot python was found in a log in North Codorus Township on Tuesday, Southwestern Regional Police said.

Crews from PennDot were working in the area and spotted the python on West College Avenue, Chief Gregory Bean said.

Police and Lancaster Animal Rescue responded to the scene and identified the snake as a Reticulated Python, one of the longest species of snake in the world, Bean said. The Reticulated Python can get as long as 22 feet, he said.

At first glance, police said the snake was about 8 feet long, but determined after an official measurement it was 10 feet in length.

Lancaster Animal Rescue plan to pick up the snake Tuesday afternoon and to attempt to find the owner, Bean said. He believes the snake is a pet because the python originated from South East Asia and wouldn't have survived this past winter in the wild, he said.

"We are hoping to reunite the man with his snake by sharing the information," Bean said.

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